Astrological Signs

Astrological Signs, Astrological signs represent twelve equal segments or divisions of the zodiac. According to astrology, celestial phenomena account or govern human activity on the principle of “as above, so below”, so that the twelve signs are held to represent twelve basic personality types or characteristic modes of expression. [1] There are signs of the sun and moon signs, which both depend on your date of birth.

In Indian astrology, the twelve signs are associated with constellations, while in Chinese astrology and Western astrology no connection with constellations, as it is simply the equator that is divided into twelve equal segments.

In Western and Asian astrology, the emphasis is on space and movement of the Sun, Moon and planets in the sky through each of the signs of the zodiac. In Chinese astrology, however, the emphasis is on time, with the operation of the zodiac on cycles of years, months and hours of the day. A common characteristic of these three traditions however, is the importance of the ascendant or rising sign, namely the sign of the zodiac that is rising (due to rotation of the earth) on the eastern horizon at the time of birth of a person.

From the perspective of the earth (geocentric), the Sun appears to move along a circular orbit around the celestial sphere, the circular orbit be called the ecliptic. The zodiac refers to the thin band along the ecliptic consisting of zodiac signs and constellations. The zodiac is divided into twelve different signs, each 30 degrees long and begins in Arles. In tropical astrology Aries begins at the vernal equinox. The order of the signs of the zodiac is Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. It is believed that the concept of the zodiac has evolved from the Babylonian astronomy, and was later influenced by Hellenistic astronomy.

In ancient times, people watched the passage of the sun because it was useful to predict the changing seasons. Over time, however, people began to associate the sign of the zodiac, or the position of Sun in the zodiac, with dates of birth and features.